Gareth
Gates will have no shortage of friendly faces in the audience when he takes to the stage at Symphony Hall alongside the Osmonds next year.

His father is originally from Birmingham and he still has lots of relatives who live in the area.

“I
have got five aunties who live in Birmingham and lots of cousins. They are all really looking forward to coming to see the show, seeing me and the old heartthrobs.”

Those
“old heartthrobs” originally recorded some of the hits that are being featured in Boogie Nights The 70s Musical in Concert, which is packed with classics from back in the day.

Jimmy
Osmond, who starred in the stage version in 2004, will be joined by his
brothers Merrill and Jay. X Factor contestants Chico and Andy Abraham will also be performing, along with former EastEnder Louise Lytton and Shane Ritchie Jnr, who takes over the role first played by his father.

As well as some disco numbers, Gareth will also be tackling Donny Osmond’s Puppy Love – in front of his brothers.

“I am thrilled about that,” he says. “I grew up listening to these songs. My mum loved the Osmonds.”

Normally when he visits Birmingham, Gareth tries to take time to meet up with his relatives.

“I
spent a lot of my summer holidays there. My dad lived there up until he
was about 21, then he moved to Bradford and met my mum.

“I still spend a fair bit of time in Birmingham, at various family events, birthdays or anniversaries.

“My
dad is also a big Blues fan so we will try and watch Birmingham at some
point. I support Leeds, although I am from Bradford. It is just they were always the better team when I was younger.

Boogie Nights The Musical In Concert

“They are in the Championship so every time Leeds play Birmingham we try to get to the game.”

He enjoyed a long stay in the city when he was appearing as Marius in Les Misérables at the Hippodrome.

Sadly,
he didn’t get the chance to audition for the role in the film set to be
released in January and starring Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe.

“I
think they knew years ago who they wanted for each role,’’ says Gareth,
regretfully. “But the girl who is playing Eponine, Samantha Barks, was my Eponine in the West End. She is a great singer and wonderful actress.

“The rest of the stars are known names from film, so for Samantha to get a part like Eponine was just incredible.”

Gareth
has been focusing a lot on theatre lately, performing in shows such as Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat, Legally Blonde and Loserville. However, he is looking at going back into the studio with his band.

“I
haven’t thought about music all that much right up until recently when I
formed my band and we are now writing my new album. There are no dates for when I am releasing it or what style it will be. We have only just started.”

As a 17-year-old
Gareth, now 28, was at the forefront of the creation of pop stars through talent competitions when he was on Pop Idol.

Though he came second to Will Young, he carved out a successful singing career himself.

In
spite of the viewing figures for X Factor, the successor to Pop Idol, appearing to be in a downward spiral, Gareth still believes there is life left in the format.

“This series was a bit tired if I am honest. James (Arthur) was the only artist who brought something fresh every week.

“But
I think shows like this are great platforms for people to be seen and be noticed as performers. It worked for me and Will and it still works. Look at One Direction. They were a product of the X Factor and are now storming the States.”

* Boogie Nights The Musical In Concert
will be at Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, on February 7 and 8, and at Symphony Hall, Birmingham, on February 9.